Trailering & New Lessons

We were packed and ready to go by 7am the morning of April 24th. Todd (our lovely driver & neighbour) had dropped off the two-horse trailer the night before. We had spent three hours the previous night practicing loading the horses. Ora got on no problem. Lux, on the other hand, would NOT get on. We tried putting hay bales as blockers on either side of the trailer to avert him from jumping to the sides of the trailer, but he would just barge through them and stand on the bales. So we thought it was better we try and get some sleep before the big day.

We started loading Lux just after 8am, first trying to just walk him on, doing circles, repeat. Neighbours came to say their goodbyes, and with an audience, Lux started rearing to avoid the trailer. Jumping to the sides and paying no attention to his own well-being. Our departure time (9am) was quickly left behind as we tried new ways to load Lux. We put a lunge line on either side of the trailer - that didn't work. We did not want to use a whip or any harsh method. As 10am came and went, we were getting some pressure from our Dad to hurry up and get him on. We got the whip to make cracking noises in the air as encouragement, then we would lightly tap him repeatedly to annoy him on. Horses are into-pressure animals, so he would just back into the tapping. We tried, apples, carrots, sweet-feed. We loaded Ora and then tried him again. We put him back in the paddock and drove down the drive way with Ora for some reverse psychology. Still wouldn't load. Finally we just tied him loosely and left food for him just out of reach. This was always the most effective method. He would start to walk on, then seemed to remember he was scared and rear to the side. After 12, my Dad went in and started hand feeding him from inside. After about 40 minutes he inched closer and closer. He was pawing in impatience and my dad was mimicking him. HE FINALLY WALKED RIGHT ON THE TRAILER! I saw this happening and was ready to close the door behind him. Almost 5 hours later we finally had success!

Our road trip crew, minus Joseph who is behind the camera!

We decided to cancel our pit-stop in Quebec as we did not want to go through another ordeal of trying to load Lux. We figured in the long run it would be less stressful for them to just get on-off once. It took us 24 hours with stopping to get to Mahone Bay. We switched drivers, but my Dad and Todd Brown did most of the driving.

It felt great to pull into EIEIO farm after 24 hours of driving. Personally, I was happy we drove through the night. Although it was a long time to keep the horses on the trailer, we got that part over and done with, and now they had more time to settle in and relax at our new temporary home. We were greeted by Sydney, who was surprised by our arrival but very welcoming! She got us water and helped us get the horses into the round pen. We unpacked the truck, then headed to the Damiani's, our long time family friends' in Mahone Bay. Wednesday the horses had a break, Thursday we took them out for an hour and half ride to explore the trail we would be going on when we set out. All along the Rhodenzier family were so kind and helped us with anything we needed. We've been staying in their beautiful camper trailer. It feels extremely luxurious in comparison to our two person tent. We have warm running water, heat, electricity! And we can lookout and watch our horses.

Okay I'm boring myself! I guess recounting all the details can get a bit tedious, so here's some things that I've learned already. Even though the trip hasn't technically started, we've been in motion and preparation since January. First in King City, and now being in Mahone Bay, I feel like I've gained a whole new perspective on my life.

Witnessing the family at EIEIO farm, they all work so hard, up early and out working after dark, and yet always taking the time to come out and chat with us and see how we're doing, and offering advice on places to go. Nothing ever seems to be in a rush. Before it was always "run here and get there before this time, and who has the car and why is there no gas?!" Here, I feel more present in each moment as it happens. Witnessing a life that seems to function at a slower rate...crops don't grow overnight. Neither do their cattle. A life that requires time to bloom, and with it patient people tending to this development. When I lived in Montreal, I felt I was caught in a cycle, working three jobs to cover all my expenses, work was something you couldn't wait to be over so you could go on living your life. Here work seems to be a seamless part of life. Living on a farm you can never run away from work, but exist happily within it. At least this is what I see. I feel it with the horses. When working with animals there is a direct return, a relationship. Talking to other farmers for example, the kind man that offered to deliver hay to us at no cost. There is a hay shortage and normally they can't offer the hay to sell to everyone, but he was kind enough to offer it to us to help us out, and even drive it over. "We're not in it for the money, most people aren't" he said. Here, people go out of their way to help us out. Carman, who helps us out and offers us everything, hopes that her daughters would be treated the same way if they ever needed it. This invaluable lesson is something I will carry with me. Kindness breeds more kindness. And here, kindness is not for personal gain, but in the hopes it will be passed on, shared.

I've also learned a lot more about my own self image. Being consumed with planning and caring for the horses, there's a lot less time to be on social media, looking in the mirror. I joked to my brother "Hey! My skin is looking better because I'm not looking at it." I can't worry about it if I don't see it. And I don't. I don't care what I wear or what my body looks like. It is no longer an object to be desired but a tool that must function at it's best in order to survive the coming days. It must be well rested and fed, my brain sharp and senses open so I can make the best decisions for myself, and my horse. Maybe the difference of this journey is it's no longer just about me. There are the horses and my sister to look out for. My needs, especially my vanity, fall way lower on the ladder.

I feel that my life in Montreal had direction, but I was easily consumed by distractions and open to societal pressures of what it means to be in your early twenties. I had a path, but there were no deadlines. Now I have my direction. To go West across Canada with my sister. All the other bullshit I spent so much time worrying about has no space in my life. My family is important, other people become more important.

I have so much to learn, and I feel like I'm really just opening up to see it all for the first time. It's too easy to get caught up in Instagram and Facebook, and see all the people whos lives look better than yours, cooler than yours, more whatever than yours. But in doing this I've missed living my own. Missed all the people that open their doors and say "I'm here, whatever you need." And in doing this I want to be that to other people.

Our trip has been delayed due to Lux's minor injuries, and that's okay. As we pulled up that morning ready to leave, I saw him up there with the other horses, and knew there was no way he was in with a new herd without some scratches. I saw his swollen knee right away and knew our departure would be pushed back. All I kept thinking was "it is what it is". This is my new moment. This is what's happening. How do I solve it?

Jewel also likes to remind me how much Lux is like me, getting hurt right before something important happens. Wanting to go and be social and stir up some drama. So I guess him and I will be working through it together.

I feel happier than I've felt in a long time. I've laughed more than I have in a long time with Jewel. There is a peace in my chest that makes me calm. Even if we were never to set off on this trip, I know the lessons I have already learned will stick with me.

It is what it is.